Has It Really Been Five Months???

Looking back, I can't believe it has been five months since I last posted anything on this blog! I don't know where the time has gone! I got so overwhelmed at the end of last year and was too busy over the summer to post. I have a lot to post. I've been reading some, not as much as I would have hoped! My summer was fun filled and super busy and I can't believe that I'm back in school. Consider this post a huge update on my #nerdlution!

Since January, I have been really working on making some changes in my life. I've written about the quote that my principal posted on Facebook in January that really hit home and started me on my journey. The quote is: "I just woke up one day and decided I didn't want to feel like that anymore or ever again. So I changed." This quote put into words what I have been feeling for a while. When it was right in front of me, I couldn't ignore the feelings anymore. I had been gaining weight over the past few years and in January I was the heaviest I had ever been. I knew what I was eating and that I needed to change, but wasn't ready to make in until January.

Since January I have lost 57 pounds!!! I didn't do a program or special drinks or special food. I put my Fitbit and the Fitbit app to good use. I really focused on portion control by using the app to set about how many calories I should be eating. I used the app to journal all that I ate. I even tried my hardest to journal my mistakes. Having to keep a journal was the most important part for me. It helped hold me accountable and having it on my phone made it so easy for me. I had those "cheat" days when I didn't write down anything. But I made sure that I got right back on track the next day. I also made sure I was getting at least 10,000 or more steps in each day. Most days I stayed after school and walked for at least a half hour. This helped make sure that I hit my step goal.

You can really see the difference in the two pictures below. The first picture was taken in 2013 at the entrance to the Crystal Cave in California. I was still about 10 pounds from my heaviest in that picture. I'm on the left and my parents are on the right. The second picture was taken this summer in the Badlands. I really enjoyed my vacation this summer. I was able to complete the 3 mile round trip hike to Delicate Arch without a lot of trouble and I wouldn't have been able to do it as easily 50 pounds heavier.

I'm enjoying starting this year feeling healthy and happier. Now I just have to get back to Tweeting and Blogging again. I'll be posting some updates to my reading soon! Thanks if you have read this to the end!

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)